Boiler feeder



1939@ c. w. PRESTON EI'AL 2,183,104

BOILER FEEDER Filed Sept. 4, 1937 a m a w e Q W W m. J \x i AFR M a w w 3 J cecal Jamasfllfrdan/ 47 L 14 M @s' Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNHTE STATES PAT 375i @FFHQE BQELER FEEDER Application September 4, 1937, Serial No. 162,562

18 Claims. (C11. fi2'll .5)

I'he present invention relates in general to the delivery of fluid into a chamber or container under relatively high pressure from a source or reservoir at lower pressure, and the invention has more particular reference to boiler feed. apparatus, and While the invention is especially adapted for the delivery of liquid in the boiler 0f refrigerating apparatus of the character illustrated and described in the co-pending application of, William C. Grunow 'et al. for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 144,346, filed May 24, 1937', the present invention is not restricted to use in conjunction with refrigerating apparatus, but may have general application in connection with the delivery of fluid to a boiler or like relatively high pressure chamber of any apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide simplified means for feeding liquid into a container, such as a boiler, from a supply source which is at a relatively lower-pressure, the invention relating more particularly to the provision of simplified means having a minimum number of moving parts whereby the same ddes not readily get out of order in service.

Another important object is to provide a boiler feed device operable in conjunction with the condenser of a refrigerating system and a boiler providing vapor under pressure for the actuation of jet pumps for causing circulation of a refrigerant in the refrigerating system in order to deliver liquid from the condenser intothe boiler against the relatively high pressure maintained therein during the operation of the system.

Another important object is to utilize vapor under pressure derived from the boiler itself for the operation of the boiler feed device; a further object being to utilize an actuating element containing an evaporable medium adapted to vaporize at a temperature slightly less than the Vaporlzing temperature of the medium delivered to the boiler in order to cause operation of the boiler fed device.

Another important object is to provide means for utilizing differentials of pressure and temperature in the feeding device augmented by forces developed by a medium having a vaporizing temperature less than the boiler feed medium in order to utilize boiler pressure to aid in the delivery of the boiler feed medium to the boiler. Another important object is to accomplish the delivery of a boiler feed medium in a boiler from a supply source at relatively lower pressure by providing a feeding device comprising a chamber having valved communication with the boiler and with the supply source including expansible means subjected to temperature conditions within the chamber for actuating the valved connections to permit vapor at boiler pressure to enter the chamber at intervals in order to permit liquid previously delivered into the chamber from the source to flow by gravity into the boiler, while at the same time preventing vapor at boiler pressure from reaching the source of supply of the boiler feed medium; a further object being to utilize any thermo-responsive element which may include an expansible diaphragm or bellows and may contain a medium having a vaporizing temperature less than that of the boiler feed medium; a still further object being to utilize the mechanical movement of the bellows in order to control the valved connections.

Another important object is to provide a shield for the expansible element in order to control the transfer of heat thereto from the boiler feed medium as the same enters the chamber in relatively cold condition from the source of supply; a further object is to utilize the heat shield as a guide for the expansib'e actuating element.

Another important object is to provide a boiler feed device in which the temperature of the boiler feed medium is raised prior to delivery of the medium into the boiler.

Numerous other objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description which,.ta ken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic showing of a refrigerating system of the character illustrated and described in'the aforesaid application of William C. Grunow for United States Letters Patent, and containing boiler feeding means embodying the.

present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the feeding means shown in Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of somewhat diagrammatic character and illustrating modified arrangements of the feeding device in order'to demonstrate the principle of the present invention.-

To illustrate our invention we show on the drawing a feeding device H for delivering a fluid into a container 13, such as a boiler, at relatively high pressure from a source of supply l5 at relatively lower pressure, and while the invention may have general application, particularly in feeding liquid to boilers, we have shown the device ll connected in a refrigerating system of the character illustrated in the application of William C. Grunow for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 144,346, filed May 24, 1937, the same comprising a refrigerating system adapted for operation on the compression-condensationevaporation cycle, wherein a refrigerating medium, in gaseous condition, is compressed by the pumping means I! and delivered to a condenser l9, and wherein the refrigerating medium is cooled to liquefy the same at substantially compression pressure. The liquefied medium may then be delivered through suitable pressure controlling equipment, such as a float valve 2|, to a relatively low pressure heat absorbing zone shown in the illustrated embodiment as an evaporator 23, in which the liquid refrigerant is permitted to evaporate in order to absorb hert, the resulting vapors produced in evaporators 23 being returned to the suction or low pressure side of the refrigerant compressing means l1, preferably through a check valve 25.

The pumping means I! comprises jet pumps 20 which are actuated by vapor under pressure preferably derived by the application of heat to a suitable medium, which medium may comprise a portion of the refrigerating medium itself. The operation of a refrigerating system by means of jet pumps, as demonstrated in the aforesaid application of William C. Grunow et al. for United States Letters Patent, is feasible providing the refrigerating medium has vapor pressure characteristics such that under normal temperature conditions the refrigerant may be evaporated and condensed within certain pressure differentials commercially maintainable. Such a medium is trichloro-trifluoro-ethane CzFaCla, commonly known as Carrene No. 3.

In a system of the character described a portion of the condensed refrigerant may be drawn from the condenser and delivered in the boiler l3 and there evaporated to produce vapor under pressure for the actuation of the jet pumps, the liquid delivered in the boiler l3 being there evaporated by the application of heat in any suitable or convenient manner, as by the burning of fuel under the boiler 13, the same being illustrated as a gas burner 27. If desired, the vapor may be thoroughly dried and slightly superheated by passing the same through the coil 29 before delivering it to the jet pumps 20.

The system, of course, may be operated by utilizing a pump actuating medium in the refrigerating medium, providing some means is provided for separating the pump actuating medium from the refrigerating medium after the same are liquefied in the condenser. Furthermore, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not necessarily restricted to a boiler feed device for use in refrigerating systems of the character mentioned. At the same time the feeding device of the present invention is particularly well suited for delivering liquid from the condenser, which is at relatively low pressure compared with the pressure maintained in the boiler 13, into the boiler, although it will be apparent that the feeding device may be used to deliver any kind of boiler feeding liquid to the boiler.

The invention may have application in connection with a boiler of any suitable or preferred construction. As shown for purposes of illustration, the boiler comprises a shell having fire tubes 3| heated by the combustion of gas or other fuel, the burner for which is located as shown at the lower end of the boiler, and the products of combustion, after passing through the tubes 3|, are conducted through a flue 33 of suitable construction, in which flue the superheating coil 29 may be arranged. 5

The boiler feed device ll comprises means forming a chamber 35 vented by means of a conduit 31 to the source of supply l5 of the boiler feed medium, said conduit preferably connecting with the source above the liquid level therein, although the chamber 35 may, of course, be vented to atmosphere in the event that loss of the medium is of no consequence. Where, however, a valuable medium is used to feed the boiler, it is desirable to vent the chamber 35 to the supply source.

The chamber 35 is also connected as by means of a conduit 39 with the boiler l3 so that the boiler pressure may be applied in the chamber 35 through said conduit 39. A valve 4| is arranged in the conduit 39 to open inwardly toward the chamber 35 and a valve 43 likewise is arranged in the conduit 3'! to open inwardly toward the chamber 35. These valves 4| and 43 are mechanically connected so that when one is closed the other is open, and vice versa. The conduits 31 and 39 likewise open into the chamber in the upper portions thereof. The chamber 35 also is connected respectively by conduits 45 and 41 with the boiler l3 and with the source of supply, there being a check valve 49 opening toward the boiler in the conduit 45 and a check valve 5| opening toward the chamber in the conduit 41 so that liquid from the reservoir may be delivered into the chamber 35 through the valve 5|, while 35 preventing back-flow of liquid through the conduit to the source 15 through the conduit 47. The check valve 49 likewise prevents flow of liquid from the boiler through the conduit into the chamber 35.

An expansible thermo-responsive element 53 is arranged in the chamber 35 in heat exchange relationship with respect to any liquid or gas that may be present therein. This thermo-responsive element 53 preferably comprises an expansible 45 container comprising a diaphragm or bellows having closed ends. Within the expansible container is sealed an evaporable medium having a vaporizing temperature which at all pressures is slightly less than the vaporizing temperature of the boiler feed medium, at corresponding pressures. Any suitable or convenient medium, having the stated characteristics, may of course be employed, but where the boiler feed medium comprises Carrene No. 3 the evaporable medium 55 within the expasible member 53 may comprise methylene chloride CHzClz, (also known as dichloromethane) and commonly called Carrene No. 1.

One end of the thermo-responsive expansible means 53 is anchored relative to a wall of the chamber 35, the opposite end being free to move under the influence of the expansion or contraction of the medium contained within said element. The movable end of the means 53 is connected with one end of the shiftable element 51, the 0p posite end of which is operatively connected with the valves 4| and 43.

The means or element 53 is preferably mounted. vertically within the chamber 35 and we prefer to enclose it within a baffle 59 comprising a surrounding cylindrical element excluding the same from contact with the liquid entering the chamber 35 through the conduit 4'! until the entering liquid reaches the level of the upper end of the baflie 59 so that the element 53 may not be initially subjected to the temperature of the incoming liquid and in order to delay the operation of said element until the desired quantity has entered the chamber. V

The valve 5i will remain closed as long as the pressure within the chamber 35 is in excess of that at the source l5, as when the valve ll is open and the valve 53 is closed. The valve 5! is initially opened by contraction of the element 53 under the influence of the relatively cool temperature of liquid delivered in the chamber from the source of supply l5. As the valve 5i opens the valve 93 closes, blocking the vent conduit 31 and closing the valve 5! due to the application of boiler pressure in the chamber 35 through the conduit 39 and valve ll. Application of boiler pressure in this fashion equalizes the pressure in the chamber 35 and the boiler l3, thus permitting any liquid present in the chamber to drain by gravity into the boiler l3 through the valve 59 and the conduit 95. As soon as the liquid has thus drained suificiently to substantially uncover the element 53 the temperature of the vapors received from the boiler is applied to the element 53, which causes vaporization of the medium within said element. This, in turn, expands the member 53 sumciently to close the valve 9i and open the valve 53, the area of the valve 5i being sufiiciently small to permit the pressure generated by the vaporization of the medium in the element 53 to overcome the boiler pressure and close the valve ll against such pressure.

Upon opening of the valve 93 the gaseous content of the chamber 35 is vented to atmosphere or to the condenser above the liquid level therein, thus relieving the pressure within the chamber and equalizing the pressure with that prevailing at the source of supply l5. This permits liquid to drain from the source of supply through the conduit ill into the chamber 35. As soon as the 'liquid reaches a level in the chamber 35 sufficient to cover the element 53 the relatively cooler liquid absorbs heat from the member 53 and causes condensation of the evaporable medium within said expansible element. Condensation of the medium is ensured since, as heretofore stated, the vaporization temperature of the medium in the element 53 is slightly lower than that of the boiler feed medium. Upon condensation, the element 53 is caused to contract, thus permitting the valve 99 to open under the influence of boiler pressure to thereby allow the liquid in the chamber 35 to drain through the conduit 45 into the boiler, in a repetition of the operating cycle of the device.

As shown in Fig, 2, the chamber 35 comprises a dome-shaped casing or shell 5| secured to a head block 69 and formed at its lower end for the reception of the conduits 45 and 41. The head block 69 also has secured thereto a generally U-shaped depending strap or bracket 65, to the transverse arm of which. is fastened as at 55 the element 53. The baffle 59 is also secured in any suitable manner to the transverse arm of the bracket 65. Into the head block 69 is threaded a sleeve H which carries an inner clamping sleeve 13. The lower end of the clamping sleeve 13 secures the upper end of an exthe member 51 extends. This member 51 comprises the stem 11, the lower end of which is connected to the free end of the element 53, the upper end of which is provided with a bearing 79 for receiving the lower end of a rod 8| which is slidably guided in the sleeve 13. The upper end of the-rod 8| carries an adjustable bearing element 83 in position underlying the lower end of a valve element or rod in which the valves ll and 43 are formed, the valve 5| being arranged at the upper end of the element in position opposite means 81 forming a valve seat as well as a connection for the attachment of the conduit 39.

The seat-forming means 91 comprises a plug threaded in the end of a cap casting 89 which, in turn, is bolted upon a block 9!, the block 9| being secured upon the upper end of the block 69 and providing a cavity 93 for the reception of the sleeves H and 13. The block 9i also receives a seat 95 for the valve 93, while the capelement 89 provides a cavity or chamber 97 for the reception of the valve element.

The chamber 35 is in communication with the valve chamber 97 through a conduit 99 which extends through the block 9|, a conduit it! which extends through the block 69, a pipe l95 which connects with the conduit 99 and with the interior of the chamber 9?. The block BI is formed as at I51 for connection with the conduit 31 in order to vent the cavity 93.

It will be seen that the valve element comprising the valves fl! and 33 is normally gravityactuated toclose the valve 3 and open the valve ii in order to apply boiler pressure through the upwardly to permit the bearing element 83 to.

engage the valve and raise the same to close the valve GI and open the valve 93. At this time the chamber 35 is vented through the conduit H, the conduit 99, the pipe I95, the chamber 97, the valve 93, the cavity 93 and the conduit 39 to equalize the pressure within the chamber 35 with that prevailing at the source l5 and thus permit liquid to drain from said source through the conduit ll into the chamber 35. The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is neat, inexpensive, compact and efficient. However, various other arrangements may be utilized. For example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the member 51 may comprise a lever tiltable on a bracket I99, one end of the lever being connected with the valves ll and 93 and the other connected with the free end of the element 53. As shown in Fig. 3, also, a guide sleeve Ill may be arranged within the bellows 53.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lever 51 may be arranged in the form of a bell crank in order to permit the mounting of the expansible element 53 on the bottom of the chamber 35, as distinguished from the side wall mounting of the element 53 illustrated in Fig. 3.

The feeding device of the present invention has the advantages of compactness, efliciency and silence in operation, and affords an efficient means for delivering a liquid to a boiler. The invention, of course, has general application, al though it is particularly well adapted for use in connection with refrigerating systems of the character heretofore mentioned, and when so applied makes feasible the provision of a commercially satisfactory refrigeration system of the compression-expansion-condensation type for operation by gas or other fuel.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant/advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A boiler feed device comprising a chamber, means for recurrently supplying the chamber with boiler feed fluid, and means cyclically operable in accordance with the temperatures of the boiler and the boiler feed fluid for adjusting the pressure in the chamber substantially to the pressure of the boiler at alternate times with respect to the operation of said recurrent feed means.

2. A boiler feed device comprising a chamber, means for recurrently supplying the chamber with boiler feed fluid, temperature responsive means cyclically operable for adjusting the pres- Sure in the chamber substantiallyto the pressure of the boiler at alternate times with respect to the operation of said recurrent feed means, and

means to supply the said fluid to the boiler at the said pressure.

3. A boiler feed device comprising a member providing a source of boiler supply fluid, a boiler member, a chamber member intermediate of said source and said boiler, temperature responsive means for alternately adjusting the pressure in the chamber to substantially the pressure of the boiler and substantially the pressure of the said source, and means for permitting flow of boiler feed fluid between said members at said adjusted.

pressures. l

4. A boiler feed device comprising a boiler member operating at relatively high pressure, a feed member containing boiler supply fluid at relatively low pressure, an intermediate member, conduitmeans connecting said feed member and said intermediate member, conduit means connecting said intermediate member and said boiler for conveying supply fluid therebetween, and temperature responsive means for alternately adjusting the pressure in said chamber to substantially that of the source and substantially that of the boiler, respectively, said conduit means being operative to permit flow between the respective members at substantially the same pressures.

5. In combination, a chamber operating at relatively high pressure, a source of supply fluid at relatively low pressure, means to supply fluid from said source to said relatively high pressure chamber comprising an equalizing chamber, temperature responsive means to adjust the pressure of said equalizing chamber alternately to substantially said relatively high and said relatively low pressures, and means to feed supply fluid to said equalizing chamber at said low pressure and to said other chamber at said high pressure.

6. In combination, a chamber operating at relatively high pressure and high temperature, a source of supply fluid at relatively low pressure and low temperature, means to supply fluid from said source to said relatively high pressure chamber comprising an equalizing chamber, temperature responsive means to adjust the pressure of said equalizing chamber alternately to substantially said relatively high and said relatively low pressures, and means operable to feed supply fluid to said equalizing chamber at said low pressure and therefrom to said other chamber at said high pressure.

7. A relatively high pressure element, a relatively low pressure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising an additional chamber element, temperature responsive means for alternatively adjusting the pressure in said additional chamber element to substantially either said high or said low pressures, and means connecting said elements for permitting flow of said supply fluid between the elements at substantially the same pressure.

8. A relatively high pressure element, a relatively low presure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising an additional chamber element, temperature responsive means for alternatively adjusting the pressure in said additional chamber element to substantially either said high or said low pressure, and means connecting said elements for permitting uni-directional flow of said supply fluid between the elements at substantially the same pressure.

9. A relatively high pressure element, a relatively low pressure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising an additional chamber element, temperature responsive means for alternatively adjusting the pressure in said additional chamber element to substantially either said high or said low pressures, conduit means for connecting said elements, and means associated with said conduit means for permitting uni-directional flow only of supply fluid from the low pressure element to the said additional chamber under substantially equalized pressure and from said additional chamber to said high pressure element only under substantially equalized pressure whereby to cyclically feed said high pressure element.

10. A relatively high pressure and high temperature element, a relatively low pressure and low temperature element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising a chamber element, means connecting said elements for alternatively changing the fluid pressure in the chamber element to that of the said low and high pressure elements to equalize the pressures therein, means connecting said elements for permitting flow of said supply fluid between the elements at substantially the same pressure, and temperature responsive means located in the path of said admitted fluid and actuated by the temperature thereof to control said admission.

11. In combination, a relatively high pressure.

element and a relatively low pressure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising a chamber element, conduit means to convey fluid from said relatively low pressure element to said chamber element when said last named element is at the said low pressure, means to convey fluid from said chamber element to the highpressure element when the said chamber element is at the said high pressure, and means responsive to the temperature of the admitted fluid to alternately apply said predetermined pressures in said chamber element.

12. In combination, a relatively high pressure element and a relatively low pressure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising a cham ber element, pressure equalizing conduits between said chamber element and said other elements,

valve means for opening and closing each conduit, fiuid control conduit means between said chamber and said other elements, the fluid control conduits having associated therewith unidirectional flow control means-to permit flow only from the fluid source to the said chamber element and from said chamber element to the relatively high pressure element whereby to permit said uni-directional flow of supply fluid between said elements when the said respective valve control means is open, and a temperature responsive sylphon arranged in the said chamber element and operatively connected to the said valve means to alternately change the pressure of said chamber to correspondto that of the high and low pressure elements, said sylphon being actuated according to the temperature of the fluid admitted.

13. In combination, a relatively high pressure element and a relatively low pressure element, means to supply fluid from said low pressure to said high pressure element comprising a chamber element, pressure equalizing conduits between said chamber element and said other elements, valve means for opening and closing each conduit, fluid control conduit means between said chamber and said other elements, the fluid control conduits having associated therewith unidirectional flow control means to permit flow only from the fluid source to the said chamber element and from said chamber element to the relatively high pressure element whereby to permit said uni-directional flow of supply fluid between said elements when the said respective valve control means is open, a temperature responsive sylphon arranged in the said chamber element and operatively connected to the said valve means to alternately change the pressure of said chamber to correspond to that of the high and low pressure element, said sylphon being operable to actuate said valves to admit pressure from said high pressure element when contacted by fluid from said low pressure element and being reversely operable under the influence of fluid from the high pressure element, and baille means arranged to delay action of the sylphon.

14. In a refrigerating system having a compressor, said compressor being actuable under the influence of high pressure fluid and a source of high pressure fluid, means for supplying makeup fluid to said high pressure source from the system comprising a chamber, means for periodically supplying the chamber with boiler feed fluid, and temperature responsive means alternately operable in accordance with the temperature of the high pressure source and the make-up fluid for adjusting the pressure in the chamber substantially to the pressure of the boiler.

15. In a refrigerating system having a jet type compressor for compressing refrigerant, a boiler for supplying fluid under pressure to actuate said jets, means for supplying make-up fluid to said boiler from a relatively low pressure point in the system comprising a chamber intermediate of said low pressure point and said boiler, temperature responsive means for cylically adjusting the pressure in said chamber to substantially the pressure of said boiler and foralternately adjusting said pressure to the pressure of said relatively low pressure point in the system, and means for permitting the flow of boiler feed fluid between said members at said adjusting pressures.

16. A boiler feed device comprising a chamber, means for supplying the chamber with boiler feed fluid, and temperature responsive means for adjusting the pressure in the chamber substantially to the pressure of the boiler whereby to feed the fluid from said chamber to said boiler.

17. In a device for feeding fluid to a boiler from a source of feed fluid, a chamber and means responsive to the temperature of the boiler fluid and to feed fluid from said source to said chamber and means responsive to the temperature of the feed fluid to feed said fluid from said chamber to said boiler.

18. In a device for feeding fluid to a boiler from a source of feed fluid, a chamber, and temperature responsive means alternately operable to feed fluid from said source to said chamber at the pressure of said source and to said boiler from said chamber at the pressure of said boiler.

CECIL W. PRESTON. DANIEL F. ELLIS. JAMES D. JORDAN. 

